1 day ago2 minTexture of TenaciousWe each come into this world with a natural tenacity. As babies and children, we voraciously consume the world and our experience of it...
May 42 minColorful ImaginationThe transformative power of the Elements of heART program— and really any learning opportunity— lies not only the principles it's based...
Apr 292 minFORMing Trust(worthiness)Have you ever heard the saying 'no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care'? I'm not sure who first said it, but...
Apr 222 minEarth Day ArtFor as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to the idea of creative reuse. My mom likes to remind me that I was "up-cycling clothes...
Apr 72 minLinear AttentionWhen I first set out to add 'teaching art' to my list of freelance business activities, I had no idea that I would go on to design an...
Mar 312 minAn Open Letter to TeachersThe other day I left a short note of appreciation on a teacher’s desk to let her know that I saw her. She is generous and gracious with...
Mar 241 minCreativity and CharacterCreativity— and specifically a commitment to the practice of developing it— is the most powerful tool for human development. Uncovering...
Mar 172 minThe (Play) Blended CurriculumChildren play like it’s their job because it is. Once in school, there are so many foundational skills they must acquire just to be ready...
Mar 112 minVisual LiteracyLiteracy takes many forms. In a world ruled by an increasing amount of media and visual information, visual literacy is an essential...
Mar 33 minLearning AdventuresFor true learning to take place, it has to be meaningful, motivating and relevant. The material presented needs to fall into the...
Feb 252 minBeautiful OopsThere's a kids book by Barney Saltzberg called Beautiful Oops and it's a game changer for art teachers or parents who want to instill the...
Feb 182 minSocial-Emotional Learning Through ArtSocial and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which people (of all ages) develop the fundamental skills for effective...
Feb 113 minElements of HeARTEvery person is an artist at heart. When we broaden our definition of art to encompass creating an expression of beauty or a moment of...
Sep 24, 20212 minStrengths-Based Learning: Literacy LabsOur biggest challenges are often our biggest opportunities. Regardless of the objective or the skills we need to acquire, there are...
Aug 19, 20212 minA New Social ContractSocial contracts shape our lives in profound ways. From the daily norms and expectations of behavior to laws and regulations, social...
Jul 28, 20212 minGrowth Mindset ContinuumCarol Dweck's studies on motivation and success have changed the face of psychology and education. The concepts of Growth Mindset and...
Jul 23, 20212 minLiteracy beyond LanguageLiteracy takes many forms. For most of us, 'literacy' evokes the idea of skills like reading, writing, and comprehension. Obviously these...
Jul 1, 20211 minHidden CurriculumHidden Curriculum is an idea that has become an increasing area of focus for educators. Hidden curriculum refers to the implicit values,...
Jun 4, 20213 minTeacher Tales #1: Embodiment + AttunementOver this past year of remote teaching, I have taken a series of classes on mindfulness focused on both the personal practice and on the...
May 7, 20213 minMental health + Brain Agility Mental health is more than positive thinking or emotional health. Creating mental health is a process of learning how to regulate our...